Train-pipe coupling.



G. E. KELLY & G. F. ROYER.

TRAIN PIPE COUPLING.

APPLICATION mum rma.7.1901.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET-l.

Uwbcwtoz a G. E. KELLY & G. I. ROYER.

TRAIN PIPE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.7,1907.

2 SHEBTSSHEET 2.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

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GEORGE E. KELLY AND GEORGE F. ROYER, OF WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA.

TRAIN-PIPE COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 7, 1907.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

Serial No. 856,287.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, Gnome E. KELLY and GEORGE F. ROYER, citizens of theUnited States, and residents of lVilkes-Barre, county of Luzerne, Stateof Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inTrain-Pipe Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in train pipe couplingsand particularly to means for controlling the closing of the valves insuch couplings.

It is customary to provide the fluid passages of such couplings withvalves which are automatically opened as the members or heads of thecoupling are engaged and to provide means whereby the valves controlling the brake mechanism are positively prevented from closing, wherebysaid conduits will be opened to the atmosphere and the brakesautomatically set, if the members of the coupling are accidentallyseparated.

The particular object of this invention is to improve the stop ordetaining device thus employed for holding said valve of the brakesystem open and also the means by which the valve may be releasedfromsaid stop, or the latter rendered inoperative.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a sectional view through acoupling con structed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2-is a face view of the body of one of the members of the coupling shownin Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1,showing the invention applied to two diflerent styles of coupling; Fig.5 is an. elevation of one of the couplings shown in Fig. 4:; Fig. 6 is asectional View through the coupling shown in Figs. 4 and 5; and Fig. 7is a detail view of one of the valves and its gasket.

The invention may be employed in connection with various forms ofcouplings, and is shown in the drawings as embodied in that form or typecommonly employed on freight cars (in which there is but a single fluidconduit forming part of the brake mechanism), and also an embodiment inthat type of coupling which is used on passenger cars, the latterincluding conduits forming parts of the heating and signaling systems,as well as that controlling the brakes.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings in which thereis illustrated an embodiment of the invention adapted for use withfreight cars, it will be seen that the coupling comprises two similarheads or members, each having a fluid assage 1 which forms a part of theautomatic brake mechanism. As shown the passage 1 is formed in the upperpart of the head and is provided with an interior valve 2, the head ofwhich is exposed to the pressure of fluid in the passage which tends tomove the valve toward its seat and maintain the passage closed.

The valve body is of such length that when the head thereof is engagingits seat in the coupling, and the lateral ports 3 therein are closed,the other end pro ects somewhat beyond the face of the coupling head.

As the two members or heads of the coupling are engaged, the valves 2therein contact and are both forced inwardly carrying the heads thereoffrom the valve seats and uncovering both sets of ports 3, thus providinga continuous passage through the coupling.

WVithin a suitable recess formed in the face of the coupling head, andsurroundin the outer end of the valve body, is arrangec a flexiblegasket d having at its inner end a flange 5 that extends behind asection of the head and thus holds the gasket against outward movementwith the valve as the latter is closed.

The gasket is preferably made of the cross sectional form shown, thewidth or thickness thereof gradually increasing from its outer to itsinner face and the outer end of the valve body is reversely tapered asshown. This form and arrangement of gasket and valve body, it will benoticed, insures a fluid tight joint between the valve body and thewalls of the passage in the coupling head, and the gasket acts as apositive stop to the inward movement of the valve. By this arrangementthe two valves 2 are uniformly moved inwardly as the members or heads ofthe coupling are engaged.

There is formed in the valve body a longitudinal slot 6 in whichnormally lies a toe or projection 7 at the inner end of a pin 8 thatextends through a suitable chamber in the coupling. A spring 9interposed between a wall of said chamber and a proj ection on the pin 8acts to hold the latter in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1,

in which the toe 7 thereof is within the slot 6. lVith the stop, formedby-the pin 8, in

this position, it will be seen that the valve 2 is prevented fromentirely closing the passage 1 and therefore if the members or heads ofthe coupling are separated, without adjusting said stop, the valve,under the pressure of the fluid in the passage, will move but a limiteddistance and not suiiicient to close the ports 8. The escape of airthrough such partially closed ports will cause a setting of the brakes;and the action just described will occur whenever the members of thecoupling are accidentally or unintentionally separated. When, however,the coupling members are intentionally disconnected it is desirable toallow the valves 2 to close instantly and therefore means are providedwhereby thelatter may be released from the stops 8.

As shown a rock shaft 10 is mounted in suitable bearings on eachcoupling head, each of said shafts being connected with a lever 11 towhich a chain or other suitable pull device may be attached. Each rockshaft is provided with two arms 12, 13, adapted, as said shaft is rockedby its lever 11, to contact respectively with the outer ends of the pin8 inthe same head as that on which the shaft is mounted, and with thatin the other cotiperating head or member. T .ierefore, when it isdesired to separate the coupling and allow the valves 2 therein to fullyclose, one of thelevers 11 is moved to adjust the pins 8 into theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, whereupon as soon as themembers of the coupling are disconnected and separated, the pressure inthe passages 1 will force the valves to their seats and completely closethe ports 3 therein.

In Figs. 1 to 7 there is illustrated a slightly difierent embodiment ofthe inven tion, and the manner of supporting the sections of the coupleron the car is also illustrated.

In Figs. 4 to 6 a coupling member similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2is shown as engaging with a difierent type of coupling, namely, such asthat commonly employed on passenger cars, and which includes threeconduits, adapted to be respectively connected with the brake, signal,and heating systems, said conduits being closed by valves 14, 15 and 16.These valves, like those previously described, are normally held inposition to close said conduits by pressure, acting on their inner ends,and when the coupling members are engaged, the valve 14 will be movedfrom its seat, as shown, while the valve 15 controlling the signal ductwill extend into the hollow section of the opposing coupling head, and

thereby be retained in its closed position.

The valve 16 of the heating system will bear against the plate 17 on theopposing coupling head, said plate having a projecting boss 18 whichwill be surrounded by the gasket at the outer end of the valve 16 sothat a tight joint will be formed between said valve and the plate 17,and there will be no escape of steam from the heating conduit.

The valves shown in Figs. 41 to 6 differ slightly from those shown inthe other fig, ures, particularly as regards the form of the gasket. Asshown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 7, each of said valvesis provided atits outerend with a groove or recess in which is seated a ring 19. Asimilar elastic ring 20 surrounds the body of the valve in rear of thering 19 and is adapted to be forced into an annular groove or recess 21formed in the coupling head when the valve is opened, thuspositivelypreventing any leakage between the 'valve and its supportinghead. i

The members of the coupling are so supported that they may yieldlongitudinally, one manner of so supporting them being illustrated inFig. 4. Referring to this figure, it will be seen that the coupling headproper is provided with a tubular stem 22 within which is aranged a coilspring. 23, one end of which bears against the coupling head, while theother end rests on an abutment 2%. This abutment is adjustable by meansof an adjusting screw 25, so that the tension or force of the spring 23may be variedas required. The screw 25 extends through a bar thatprojects through slots in the tubular stem 22 and is connected with thecar body in a manner well understood. That is, the abutment 2% is heldrelatively stationary and the spring 23 acts to normally hold thecoupling head at the maximum distance therefrom. hen, however, thecoupling is in use the members thereof are moved toward their respectiveabut ments, and the spring 23 thus placed under si'lflicient tension tomaintain necessary engagement between the coupling heads. As shown inFig. 5, the coupling heads are preferably provided with alining guides26, 27, the'former being in the shape of a hollow cone, while the latterconsists. of a suitable pin adapted to enter the conical guide 26 on theopposing coupling head.

Figs. 1 to 6 also illustrate a coupling head which may be attached orused in con nection with the ordinary or commonly em.- ployed hosecoupling. To accomplish this, the coupling head is providedwithlaterially projecting hollowstud 28which' com municates with the brakeconduit 1 at its inner end, and is provided near its outer end with an'outletfor opening 29. A coupling head'30similar in form to thosecommonly provided with a sleeve 31 which surrounds said stud 28, and isadapted to be turned thereon to cause its passage 32 to communicate withor be cut off from the port 29. A spring 33 seated in a recess formed inthe outer end of the post 28 and compressed by a screw plug or cap 34:carried by the sleeve 31 acts to hold said head 30 stationary on thestud 28 in either of its positions.

If it is desired to connect such a coupling as is shown in Figs. 4. to 6with the ordinary hose coupling, the head 30 is engaged with the othercorresponding coupling head and turned about the stud 28 until itspassage 32 communicates with the port 29, when the conduit 1 will be incommunication with the corresponding conduit of the other member.

Without limiting ourselves to the precise construction and arrangementof parts herein shown,

lVe claim as our invention:

1. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling head, avalve adapted to close a fluid passage in said head and arranged to beautomatically opened when the coupling is in use and to be moved towardits seat by the pressure of the fluid in said passage, and a stopadapted to normally prevent said valve from closing, of a leverfulcrumed on the coupling head and adapted to adjust said stop torelease the valve.

2. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling head, and avalve adapted to control a fluid passage in said head and to beautomatically opened when the head is engaged with a similar head, ofmeans adapted to automatically engage the valve when the latter is movedto Open the passage and retain it in such open position, said meansincluding a member extending to the outside of the coupling head bymeans of which the valve may be released.

3. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling head, and avalve adapted to control a fluid passage in said head and to beautomatically opened when said head is engaged with a similar head andmoved toward its seat by pressure of the fluid in said passage, of astop adapted to automatically engage the valve when the latter is movedto open the passage and retain it in such open position, and means forreleasing said stop.

4. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling head, and avalve adapted to control a fluid passage in said head and to beautomatically opened when said head is engaged with a similar head andto be closed by pressure of fluid in said passage, of a stop mounted inthe coupling head and movable to and from the valve, means forautomatically moving said stop into position to prevent closing of thevalve when the latter is adjusted to open the fluid passage, and meansfor releasing said stop.

5. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling head, avalve adapted to close a fluid passage in said head and arranged to beautomatically opened when the coupling is in use and to e moved towardits seat by the pressure of the fluid in said passage, and a stopadapted to normally prevent said valve from closing, of a rock shaftmounted in hearings on the coupling head and having at one end an armadapted as the shaft is rocked to engage said stop and move it from thepath of the valve, and means for rocking; said shaft.

6. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling head, and avalve arranged within a fluid passage in said head and adapted to beautomatically moved from its seat when the coupler is in use and to bemoved toward its seat by the pressure of fluid in said passage, of astop mounted in the coupling head and extending into a slot in the valvebody to limit the closing movement of the valve, and means for movingsaid stop out of engagement with the valve.

7. In a train pipe coupling, the combina tion with a coupling head, anda valve arranged within a fluid passage in said head and adapted to beautomatically moved from its seat when the coupler is in use and to bemoved toward its seat by the pressure of fluid in said passage, of astop mounted in the coupling head and adapted to normally permit alimited movement of the valve toward its seat when the coupling isbroken, and means fo adjusting said stop to permit a complete closin ofthe valve.

8. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling head, and avalve arranged within a fluid passage in said head and adapted to beautomatically moved from its seat when the coupler is in use and to bemoved toward its seat by the pressure of fluid in said passage, of astop mounted in the coupling head and having at its inner end a toe orprojection adapted to engage the valve and prevent the closing thereofwhen the coupler is disconnected, and means for forcing said stopinwardly to disengage the toe or projection thereof from the valve.

9. In a train pipe coupling, the combination of two heads provided intheir opposing faces with alined fluid passages, valves arranged in saidpassages and adapted to be automatically opened as said heads areconnected, stops for limiting the closing movements of said valves, arock shaft mounted on one of said heads and provided with arms adaptedto move bothstops from engagment with the valves, and means for rockingsaid shaft.

10. In a train pipe coupling, the combination of two heads provided intheir opposing faces with alined fluid passages, valves arranged in saidpassages and adapted to be automatically opened as said heads areconnected, stops for limiting the closing movements of said valves, arock shaft nounted in hearings on each head and provided with two armsadapted to actuate both stops to release the valves, and means forrocking either of said shafts.

' 11. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling head,and a valve arranged within a fluid passage in said head and adapted tobe automatically moved from its seat when the coupler is in use and tobe moved toward its seat by the pressure of fluid in said passage, of apin mounted in the coupling head and having its outer end projectingbeyond said head and having at its inner end a toe or projection thatextends into a slot in the valve and acts to normally prevent the valvefrom closing, a spring acting to hold said pin in position to thusintercept the valve, and means for forcing the pin inwardly, against theaction of the spring, to release the valve.

12. The herein described train pipe coupling head comprising a bodyhaving a fluid passage therein provided with an inlet and two outlets, avalve for one of said outlets adapted to be automatically. opened whenthe head is engaged with a similar head, and a hose coupling memberconnected with and adapted to be manually adjusted to open or close theother outlet.

13. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling headprovided with a fluid passage and having a valve adapted toautomatically open said passage when the head is engaged with a similarhead, of a supplemental coupling adapted to be bodily adjusted to openand close a port communicating with said fluid passage and adapted to beconnected with a hose, coupling, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

14. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with 'a coupling headprovided with a fluid passage having therein a valve adapted to beautomatically opened when the head is engaged with a similar head, of asupplemental coupling adjustably mounted on said head and adapted to beconnected with a hose coupling, and to be adjusted to open and close aport leading from the fluid passage in thecoupling head, substantiallyas .and for the purpose described.

15. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling headprovided "with a fluid passage having therein a valve adapted to beautomatically opened when the head is engaged with a similar head, of abranch conduit permanently connected with the fluid passage in saidhead, and a supplemental hose coupling revolubly supported 'on andadapted to be adjusted to open or close a port in the branch conduit,substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling headprovided with a fluid passage having therein a valve adapted to beautomatically opened when the head is engaged with a similar head, of asupplemental hose coupling adapted to be adjusted to open or close aport communicating with the fluid passage in rear of said valve,substantially as and for the purpose described.

17. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling headprovided with a fluid passage and having a valve at the outer end ofsaid passage, of a tubular stud connected with said head andcommunicating with the fluid passage therein in'rear of said valve, anda hose coupling revolubly mounted on said stud and -adapted to be turnedthereon to bring its passage into or out of alinement with a porttherein.

18. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling headprovided with a fluid passage and having a valve at the outer end ofsaid passage, of a tubular stud connected with said head andcommunicating with the fluid passage therein in rear of said valve, ahose coupling revolubly mounted on said stud and adapted to be turnedthereon to bring itspas'sage into or out of alinement with a porttherein, and a spring arranged between said stud and hose coupling andadapted to hold the latter in either adjusted position.

In testimony whereof we afliX our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

GEORGE E. KELLY. GEORGE FI ROYER.

